Why is a focus on Men's Health and Wellbeing Important?
Men are at higher risk for many serious diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer, and HIV. Men also face unique health problems that don't affect women, like prostate cancer. To improve men's health, it's important to raise awareness about preventive screenings and regular health care for men of all ages. Health.gov
Men are more likely to experience chronic health conditions earlier than women because of different lifestyle, biological and social factors. These include smoking, alcohol and substance abuse, stress, hormones, metabolism, genes, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet and lack of regular check ups. TeneHealth.com
According to the All- party parliamentary group , ‘a men's health strategy means taking a holistic, evidence-based, positive and gender-informed approach to men's health across their life course. It should have a focus on prevention, tackling societal negative stereotypes/barriers and creating a more responsive and integrated health system’ APPG Report
National Evidence-Based Data
- Males continued to account for three-quarters of suicide deaths registered in 2021 (4,129 male deaths compared with 1,454 female deaths).
- Since 2010, men aged 45 to 64 years have had the highest age-specific suicide rates.
- 12.5% of men in the UK are suffering from one of the common mental health disorders.
- Men are nearly three times more likely than women to become alcohol dependent (8.7% of men are alcohol dependent compared to 3.3% of women.
- Men are more likely to use (and die from) illegal drugs.
- Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women. Only 36% of referrals to IAPT
Lincolnshire Evidence-Based Data
- Within the Lincolnshire Integrated Care system our staff have access to Occupational Health Services, A system Health and Wellbeing Hub and the Champion Health Digital application. Similar to the national evidence based data, the usage of our Health and Wellbeing services by our male population is minimal.
15%
of referrals into the system wellbeing hub were from men.
12%
of signs up to Champion Health are men.
XX%
of referrals into the occupational health and wellbeing service were from men.
The 'Can Do' Challenge
The five ways to wellbeing are five things we can all do that are scientifically proven to help us feel better.
Take part in the CAN DO Challenge by choosing a different way to wellbeing each day of the week.
Connect with other people (eg. call an old friend you haven't seen for a while)
Move your body
Take notice of the environment around you (eg. turn off your phone for an hour)
Learn something new (eg. read a book you haven't read before)
Do something for someone else (eg. volunteer for a local community group)
Why not take advantage of a free and confidential Men's DIY MOT, created by the Men's Health Forum.
Please complete our confidential survey around Men's Health in Lincolnshire by either scanning the QR code or using the button link below.
Your voice around current access, what is needed and barriers to health services is important for our Integrated Care System to focus and develop a gender-informed Health Strategy and Offer.
